Knowing Jesus Christ


     Jesus Christ invites each of us to "come unto" Him and to "learn of" Him - Matt 11:28-29. What does this invitation entail? Does it mean that we are simply to learn all there is to learn about Christ? To know all of the facts and details of His life and teaching? 

    Although it is important to know about the life of Christ, I believe this invitation is much more intimate. Christ is inviting each of us to get to know Him, to have a personal relationship with Him, as well as a deep connection to Him. The word relationship always seems to come to mind when I ponder Christ's invitation to come unto Him.

    It may seem strange to think that we can have a personal relationship with someone who lived over two thousand years ago. Unlike a good friend or family member, we can not simply call Him on our phone and have a conversation. Nevertheless, we can come to know Him in a very personal and intimate way. We can get to know Him and come to understand His character as we study the scriptures, particularly the Gospels. We learn about who He is, what His mission was, and how He feels in relation to us. This is the beginning of a solid relationship. 

    We also come to know Christ as we speak to God through prayer. It is important to remember that when we get to know Christ, we get to know God the Father, and vice versa. This is evident in John 14:8-9 when Philip asks Christ, 

"Lord shew us the Father..." 

Christ responds, 

"Have I  been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then , Shew us the Father?" 

    So, although we may be praying to God the Father, we still come to know Christ. Prayer allows us to share our deepest feelings of gratitude, despair, or whatever it may be. God may not respond in words, however, we can often feel His love present, and even revelation come to our mind when we pray. When we ask for forgiveness of our sins, we are connecting with Christ and His Atonement. We are acknowledging His reality as our Savior and as a real being capable of removing the guilt and pain of sin. 

    Finally, we come to know Christ as we do the things that He would do. When we are serving others or trying to love as He loved, we come to know Him better. Even when we suffer, are harassed, or rejected we are experiencing things that He Himself experienced. In fact, the Apostle Paul came to rejoice in his joint suffering with Christ, as expressed in Romans 8:17,

"And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if it so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." 

    We can come to know Christ. We can develop a personal and deep relationship with Him. As we reach out to Him, whether through prayer, studying the scriptures, or actively living the Gospel, He also reaches out to us. Although it requires effort on our part, the joy that comes from a loving relationship with the Savior is beyond compare. 

    One of my dad's favorite quotes comes from the English poet John Donne, who writes, "No man is an island, entire of itself..." We are not independent of Christ, nor of each other. Our relationships are often what define us and make us who we are. They are of great value and should be cherished and nurtured as best as we are able to. Developing a personal relationship with the Savior is possible, and should be the focus of our lives, as it will bring great blessings. 

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